Pages

Monday, December 26, 2016

What a year...!!! Full of changes that are both exciting and hard. Looking back at 2016 and away from all the political ciaos in the Middle East, 2016 was full of changes in my life..significant ones! Like going back to the career world and getting used again to a rigid, hectic and demanding schedule. It was not the easiest transformation yet I think I have managed to stand my ground without loosing my mind especially in the past month and a half where I had to travel four times!!! Not easy at all when you have a family and a 4 and a half years old. It was very tough on Haroon and the poor baby, he has been so clingy lately just in case I disappear again.

Juggling both family, work, a business, a blog and a magazine is not the easiest thing to do. I have to admit that I failed miserably in achieving the balance I was hoping for. Before I had Haroon, when I used to work, make cakes and catering in addition to cooking classes every Saturday things were a bit less hectic; at least the kids were older and life for some reason was less demanding. And I have to admit I didn't have the blog back then, neither did I have the magazine. Social media except for facebook didn't exist in my dictionary back then. So today with all these responsibilities it is not easy to maintain the balance. And the ironic thing is that it seems that the more connected we are through the WWW, the more apart we become..Sad but its the ugly truth.

In 2016 I took major financial decisions as well, I bought a car and a house!!!! CRAZY stuff let me tell you and the financial commitment today is just spinning out of control. I am just hoping that with some furgality I will manage to keep my head above waters.

In 2016 I hit 40!!! YEAH!!! hahaha...as a woman this might sound weird..admitting my age so bluntly but each and every year I get older I count my blessings for all the great memories I have in my past 40 years ...the good and the ugly...its LIFE!!! I am so grateful for so many things especially the ability to adapt with every hiccup I had to endure.

In 2016 I met new people, saw old friends and loved ones. I lost loved ones, I traveled, I took so many pictures (food ones :) ) and I cooked my love to food away whether for the blog, for Darna magazine or just for the love of it.

Yet, I miss cooking, I miss blogging as often as I used to, I miss being here. Every time I swear that I will find the time to be here more often, something would happen and I would be just exhausted from posting. Let's hope that I will manage better in 2017.

Speaking of 2017, what are you dreams? What are your aspirations for the next year?!! Besides losing weight, saving money or finding your soulmate!!! What are you looking to achieve? Would love to hear your stories and your dreams here. Don't be shy, share with us so you can make it official and work hard to achieve.

In 2016 I posted a lot less than previous years, yet some dishes remain the most popular on the blog and these are:

However today I want to share with you one of the most in demand recipes in my kitchen especially that we eat a lot of Mexican food around here. Its the Salsa Picante.

I love this recipe so much not only because of how easy it is but also how frugal and you end up saving a lot of money instead of buying the store bought ones. In Jordan the jar can reach up to 2 JDs for a small one which is almost 4 USD. I make 2 Jars for around 0.70 Piasters (around a Dollar). Now that is something you can't beat.

No preservatives, you can make it smooth or chunky, spicy or not (I don't make it spicy)...don't you love it when you are in control.

Directions:
Mix tomatoes, green peppers, onions and garlic powder in a pot and put it on high heat. When it comes to a boil lower the heat and cover. Let it simmer for 1/4 hour then pour the vinegar and take it off the heat.
Put it in sterilized jars in the fridge or freeze if you want to make big batches.

Use it in any recipe that requires salsa including quesadillas, burritos, nachos, enchiladas or as a dip with chips

Search This Blog

المتابعون

header-menu

Follow by Email

Monday, December 26, 2016

What a year...!!! Full of changes that are both exciting and hard. Looking back at 2016 and away from all the political ciaos in the Middle East, 2016 was full of changes in my life..significant ones! Like going back to the career world and getting used again to a rigid, hectic and demanding schedule. It was not the easiest transformation yet I think I have managed to stand my ground without loosing my mind especially in the past month and a half where I had to travel four times!!! Not easy at all when you have a family and a 4 and a half years old. It was very tough on Haroon and the poor baby, he has been so clingy lately just in case I disappear again.

Juggling both family, work, a business, a blog and a magazine is not the easiest thing to do. I have to admit that I failed miserably in achieving the balance I was hoping for. Before I had Haroon, when I used to work, make cakes and catering in addition to cooking classes every Saturday things were a bit less hectic; at least the kids were older and life for some reason was less demanding. And I have to admit I didn't have the blog back then, neither did I have the magazine. Social media except for facebook didn't exist in my dictionary back then. So today with all these responsibilities it is not easy to maintain the balance. And the ironic thing is that it seems that the more connected we are through the WWW, the more apart we become..Sad but its the ugly truth.

In 2016 I took major financial decisions as well, I bought a car and a house!!!! CRAZY stuff let me tell you and the financial commitment today is just spinning out of control. I am just hoping that with some furgality I will manage to keep my head above waters.

In 2016 I hit 40!!! YEAH!!! hahaha...as a woman this might sound weird..admitting my age so bluntly but each and every year I get older I count my blessings for all the great memories I have in my past 40 years ...the good and the ugly...its LIFE!!! I am so grateful for so many things especially the ability to adapt with every hiccup I had to endure.

In 2016 I met new people, saw old friends and loved ones. I lost loved ones, I traveled, I took so many pictures (food ones :) ) and I cooked my love to food away whether for the blog, for Darna magazine or just for the love of it.

Yet, I miss cooking, I miss blogging as often as I used to, I miss being here. Every time I swear that I will find the time to be here more often, something would happen and I would be just exhausted from posting. Let's hope that I will manage better in 2017.

Speaking of 2017, what are you dreams? What are your aspirations for the next year?!! Besides losing weight, saving money or finding your soulmate!!! What are you looking to achieve? Would love to hear your stories and your dreams here. Don't be shy, share with us so you can make it official and work hard to achieve.

In 2016 I posted a lot less than previous years, yet some dishes remain the most popular on the blog and these are:

However today I want to share with you one of the most in demand recipes in my kitchen especially that we eat a lot of Mexican food around here. Its the Salsa Picante.

I love this recipe so much not only because of how easy it is but also how frugal and you end up saving a lot of money instead of buying the store bought ones. In Jordan the jar can reach up to 2 JDs for a small one which is almost 4 USD. I make 2 Jars for around 0.70 Piasters (around a Dollar). Now that is something you can't beat.

No preservatives, you can make it smooth or chunky, spicy or not (I don't make it spicy)...don't you love it when you are in control.

Directions:
Mix tomatoes, green peppers, onions and garlic powder in a pot and put it on high heat. When it comes to a boil lower the heat and cover. Let it simmer for 1/4 hour then pour the vinegar and take it off the heat.
Put it in sterilized jars in the fridge or freeze if you want to make big batches.

Use it in any recipe that requires salsa including quesadillas, burritos, nachos, enchiladas or as a dip with chips